Audi drivers summoned after separate Austin practice incidents

Audi drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto are both under investigation after separate incidents in final practice for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Hülkenberg is due to face the stewards first over an alleged breach involving a practice start, while Bortoleto is to follow over an impeding incident involving Lewis Hamilton.

The two cases put Audi under scrutiny during the final session before qualifying. No outcome from either investigation was included in the report.

Hülkenberg to answer for alleged practice-start breach

Hülkenberg’s case concerns an alleged infringement during a practice start at 12:41 local time, 11 minutes into the session. He was scheduled to meet the stewards before his team-mate.

The report did not provide further detail about the practice-start incident or indicate what sanction, if any, might follow. The matter remains an allegation for the stewards to consider.

Audi’s driver pairing is also covered in our report on Bortoleto and Hülkenberg’s future with the team.

Bortoleto investigated after Hamilton is impeded at Turn 12

Bortoleto’s investigation follows an incident in which Hamilton, on a fast lap, had to brake sharply approaching the tight left-hander at Turn 12. Bortoleto was travelling slowly on the racing line, and the report described the apparent impeding as clear.

Hamilton went on to top the FP3 timesheet, doing so for the first time in two years. The investigation into Bortoleto relates to the track incident, rather than the result of Hamilton’s session.

Bortoleto is already facing an 80-place grid penalty after a double power-unit change this weekend. The report did not say whether the stewards’ decision on the impeding case would alter that penalty or set out any further consequences.

The investigations involve separate incidents and will be considered individually by the stewards. Hülkenberg’s alleged practice-start breach is scheduled to be heard first, with Bortoleto’s case to follow shortly after. Audi’s activity in practice has also included other driver appearances, covered in our report on Freddie Slater’s Formula 1 outings.